Tourists in Gagra does not care rallies in Sukhum

06.07.2016

Political storm in Abkhazia has not yet affected the plans of tourists in the country of the Russians. Our compatriot Irina Chirkunov, which in those days was in Gagra, said the “MK” on the phone, that the resort is all quiet: “Tourists stay busy, all went to the beach. If not media reports, we in General hardly knew about the incident disturbances.

Of course, the peaceful tone of the interlocutor may explain the large distances — from Gagra to Sukhum is not less than 90 km. second, the next day the situation in the capital of Abkhazia started to return to normal, which positively affected sentiments of tourists and travel industry representatives. In particular, Oksana Bulakh, commercial Director of the Moscow firms, engaged in sending tourists to Abkhazia, reiterated that over the past two days no calls from customers, which would seriously scare the opposition in Sukhum. “Become the epicenter of the center of Sukhum — not a tourist, there are hotels of city size, and they are few. While hotels and resorts on the Black sea coast reported that they had a disorder did not affect”, — said the interlocutor.

Nevertheless, experts do not exclude that negative background information will have an impact on tourists. Especially if the situation will deteriorate. In 2014, when the events in Abkhazia developed under the similar scenario the tourist season was almost derailed. In early summer Russian tourist flow in this direction fell by almost two times. People refused purchased vouchers, although the riots only occurred in Sukhum. Directly on resorts situation, as now, remained calm.

“Trips to Abkhazia sold out until July 20. If the conflict will not have time to go out, can greatly sink August. This month is traditionally accounts for approximately 20% of the total tourist arrivals,” explains the General Director of another tour company Sergey Romashkin.

On the eve of the Minister of resorts and tourism of Abkhazia Avtandil Garcia assured that the events in Abkhazia are a threat to tourists. However, according to him, citizens of Russia still scared. This is confirmed by data from the Russian-Abkhaz border: there is no usual crowds of vehicles and people who wish to come to Abkhazia.

It is noteworthy that more recently analysts have tipped Abkhazia place among the leaders in popularity among tourists from Russia. According to conservative estimates, the demand for tickets in this direction increased by 30% compared to last year. It was predicted that before year-end local resorts will be able to take 2-2,5 million Russians. Approximately 2 million are waiting for with a day trip from Krasnodar region. However, these figures were originally linked to a temporary lack of Turkey, but now, after the opening direction, will definitely be adjusted.